Electrolytic apparatus.



PATENTED MAY-"12, 1903 .1

No. 727,889. A

P. J. BRIGGS. v ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1902;

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No. 727,889. PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

P. J. BRIGGS. ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION PILEDMAY 21, 1902.

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,BLEGTROLYTIG APPARATUS.

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ATENT FRANK J. BRIGGS, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO GEORGE F. TARBELIJ-AND HENRY A. LOCKE, OF CAMBRIDGE, MAS- SACHUSETTS.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

SE'EOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,889, dated May 12, 1903.

Application filed May 21, 1902.

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. BRIGGS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachuset-ts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved electrolytic apparatus for the decomposition of to the salts of the alkaline metals.

My present invention has for one of its principal objects to accomplish decomposition without loss of; electrolytic action by reason of leakage and difiusion of the hydrate of the metal through the diaphragm of the cell from the cathode or negative to the anode or positive electrode, and vice versa, such leakage and diffusion being common in cells in which diaphragms are employed and having,

20. the effect of reducing the efficiency of the cell by introducing undesirable and objection-- able decomposition. It will be understood that in case of the mixture of sodium hydrate and chlorin (as by leakage) not only does the product of the decomposition depreciate in purity, but the efficiency of the cell is very much impaired, owing to the fact that electric energy has been expended in producing secondary conditions in forming hypochlo- 3o rites and chlorates. This result is accom plished principally by the employment in myapparatus of a pair of floating, and hence vertically-movable, dialyzers, practically in dependent of each other, but operating with 5 relation to each other, as fully described be-= low.

A second object of the invention is to pro-i vide automatic disconnection of the anodein either of the dialyzers from the electrical our.-

0 rent when the electrolyte has become inadequate in quantity, such also being made possible by the independent floating and verti-; cally-movable dialyzers.

The third object of the improvement is-to equalize the utilization of the carbons used as anodes by the vertical movement of the dialyzers.

Another object of the invention is to pr0- vide protection for the diaphragms from cracking by reason of the increasing specific proved apparatus.

,side elevation and part in section, of one of the overflows or siphons connected with the Serial No. 108,380. (no model.)

gravity of the fluid and the variation of the relative heights of the chlorid of sodium and the caustic soda, such protection being provided by equalizing the internal and external pressure of said fluids upon the diaphragms.

Another object of the invention is to not only prevent the diffusion above referred to, but to economize in the use of-electricity by retaining throughout the entire operation of the apparatus the same relation between the height of the surface of the caustic soda and the chlorin.

Further objects of the invention are to destroy the bubbles of. hydrogen produced by the union of sodium and water, which would cause a partial or complete insulation of the cathodes, by the employment of vertically- ,mova'ble cathodes to retain the caustic soda at a uniform strength, to provide means for efflciently, quickly, and thoroughly cleaning out the dialyzers,'and to in other respects assist the operation of the device and render such operation successful and thorough with due regard to the greatest economy of cost and labor. 7,

The nature and operation of the invention are fully described in detail below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which v Figure 1 is a view in perspective of myim- F-ig. 2 is an end view of the same looking toward the right. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the same, one ofthe dialyzers being shown in vertical section'and the other in end elevation. Fig. l is a view part in side elevation and part in longitudinal vertical section, port-ions of one of the diaphragms being represented as broken out.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detached view, part in dialyzer. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of a portion of the same, showing it operating as an overflow. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail, in vet-ti: -cal section, showing the mercury-cup applied to the rod constituting the electrical main. Fig. 8 is a detail in vertical section of the combined chlorid-of-sodium feed and chlorin-gas escape. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail, part in section and partin elevation, illustrating the [O0 pivotal support for one of the levers sustaining a cathode and a dialyzer. Fig. 10 is a detail, part in cross vertical section and part in elevation, illustrating the means for supporting the adjustable outflow-pipes for conducting the caustic soda away from the apparatus. Fig. 11 is a section taken on line X, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an enlarged section taken on line Y, Fig. 2. Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional detailiillustrating the adj ustable pivotal supportofone of the diaphragms. Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail, in horizontal section, showing the adjustable connection of the two parts of one of the cathodes whereby the same is made extensible.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

1 represents a suitable tank, made, preferably, of slate and of any desired shape, that indicated in the drawings being perhaps most suitable. tudinally and vertically into two substantially equal parts by an iron partition 2, which also operates as a central cathode. This partition is preferably held in place by being set intogrooves in the bottom and ends of the tank.

In this apparatus I provide two twin dialyzers, and hence two anode-compartments, exactly alike, one dialyzer being in each of the chambers or cathode-compartments 3, which are produced by the partition 2 and hanging centrally and longitudinally in said chambers. Each of the dialyzers comprises opposite parallel side walls 4, made, preferably, of slate, a top 5 of the same material and supported by the side walls, and ends 6, made, preferably, of cast-iron and bolted to the side walls 4. The upper portions of the ends 6 are made solid, and from said portions there extend downward at each end of the dialyzer a frame 7, preferably braced at 8, so as to provide large openings into the interior of the dialyzer. The frames 7 are preferably curved at their lower ends in order to prodoes a curved bottom and are formed with ears 9, whereby said ends are connected by longitudinal rods 10,secured by suitable nuts, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, thus rendering the entire frame of the dialyzer perfectly stiff. Each dialyzer is lined internally at its ends below the portions 6 and has its sides formed below the parts 4that is to say, throughout the portions which are immersed in the canstic soda in the cathode-compartments-with a diaphragm, which consists of an outer sheet of perforated iron 11, an inner sheet of asbestos paper 12, and an intermediate sheet of asbestos cloth 13. The layers of asbestos paper and cloth are united firmly together and to the perforated iron sheet by pressing them together while such layers are in a plastic state, are formed in any suitable manner into the curved or U shape shown, and are secured by bolts or other means to the side walls 4 of the dialyzers. Each of these dialyzers contains a series of anodes 14, con- The tank or cell is divided longistructed of carbon in the ordinary manner, the said anodes hanging vertically in the dialyzers and being supported by a suitable horizontal leaden bar 15, Fig. 3, from which project upwardly through the top 5 a pair of electrical leads 16. (See Figs. 1, 3, and 4.) These leads are vertically drilled to receive vertical wires 17, which bend inward and downward from theleads connected with both series of anodes and extend at their free ends down into mercury 18, Fig. 7, in metallic cups 19, which are sustained by and electrically connected with the electrical main or rod 20, connected with the source of electricity.

Between each dialyzer and the adjacent walls 1 of the cell there hangs vertically a metallic cathode, which consists of two parts adjustable horizontally with relation to each other, as indicated in Figs. 1, 3, and 14. Each part of the cathode therefore comprises a substantially rectangular open frame 21 and vertical connecting-bars 22, whereby there is free passage of caustic soda through the cathode as it hangs in the cell. The inner ends of the frames 21 overlap each other horizontally, as indicated by the tongues at 23, and said tongues 23 are provided with coincident openings 24:, through which adjustingb0lts 25, provided with suitable nut-s, extend, whereby the cathode may be sufficiently extensible to conform to the slight variations in size of different dialyzers which may be employed.

Ateach end of the apparatus the top of the end wall of the cell is provided with a suitable metallic plate 26, from which extends vertically a pair of metallic posts 27, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 9. Each of said posts is formed with a well 28, the bottom of which is formed up into a reverse V-shaped edge or knife-edge 29, submerged in mercury 30. (See Fig. 9.) This edge 29 constitutes a fulcrum for the lower grooved end of the pivot 31, which is made sufficiently small in diameter to tip or swing freely within the well 28. From this pivot extends on opposite sides a lever, the short arm of which is indicated at 32 and the long arm at 33. There are four of these levers, pivotally sustained by four posts, all the levers and all the posts being exactly alike, but the two levers at each end constituting a pair being reversed, so that the long arm of one lever extends toward the same side of the cell as the short arm of the other lever. The long arm of each lever is provided with a cup 34:, containing mercury and shaped like the well 28, to receive the lower end of the downwardly-extending portion 35 of a sup porting-bracket 36, which extends up from and is integral with the frame 21 of the cathode. The short arm 37 of each lever (see Fig. 13) is formed at its end into an car 38 and sustains a sliding plate 39, whose position is adjusted by a screw 40, said sliding plate being adapted to receive the lower sharp edge of a pivot 41, which extends horizontally from the end of the dialyzer. Each dialyzer, therefore, is supported pivotally adj ustably at each end by'the short arm of one of the said levers,

ances the dialyzer on the opposite side of said.

partition, such balancing being rendered perfect by the adjustment 39 40.

A pipe 42 connects with the supplyof chlorid of sodium and is provided with branches 43, through which the chlorid is conducted into cups 44, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 8, which are each formed with an inner upright tube 46, communicating with the interior of the dialyzer through the top 5. By this means the dialyzers are supplied with electrolyte, which passes through the diaphragmsin the ordinary manner and produces caustic soda in the cell. The caustic soda passes out through the pipes 45, one of which is located on each side of the partition 2 and each of which extends through one of the end walls, as indicated in Figs. 1,

2, and 4, and has its opposite end bent downv at to a sufficient distance below the surface of the liquid to reach therequired density. The'pipes 45 are supported by hooks 47, having threaded shanks, whereby they are each adjustablysustained as to height by one arm of a lever 48, which is pivotally supported at 49, Figs. 10 and 11, by a yoke 50, which rests on the upper edge of the partition or cathode 2, the opposite sides of said yoke pivotally supporting the two lovers 48. The opposite arm of each said lever is threaded to receive the adjustable screw 51, which sets up against the under side of a pro ection 52, extending I horizontally from the dialyzer.

The chlorin gas escapes through branches 53 of a pipe 54, said branches extending down into the cups 44 and around the tube 46, as indicated in Fig. 8, whereby a trap or lute is formed for the prevention of the escape of gas.

Each compartment of the cell is furnished with an overflow-pipe 55, Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, one leg 56 of which extends down into the dialyzer, and the other leg 57 extends outside the tank, the central portion 55 extending through the wall. 1

The electrical current enters through the main 20 and passes through the mercury-cups 19, wires 17, leads 16 on both sides of the apparatus, and leaden bar 15 to the anodes 14. Thence it passes through the electrolyte with in the dialyzers and the diaphragms 11 12 13,- and thence through the caustic soda in the cell to the cathodes and through the brackets 35 36 and mercury-cups 34 to the metallic levers 33, from which it passes down through the pivots 31 to the posts 27 and base 26, from which it passes through the negative wire 58, Fig. 12, to the dynamo or to another apparatus in which this may be in series. It will be noticed by examining Fig. 12 that a mercurycup 59 is formed in the upper edge of the cen tral cathode 2 for the purpose of placing said cathode in electrical circuit, whereby the central cathode not only dividesthe cell'intotwo The practical operation of the apparatus is aslfollows: After supplying fresh water to the cell in the ordinary manner to about-the height indicated in Fig. 3 the chlorid of sodium or electrolyte is supplied from a suitable tank through the pipe 42 audits branches 43 to the cups 44, from which it flows over the upper ends of the tubes 46 and down through them into the two dialyzers, filling them to about the point indicated in Fig. 3. This fluid is introduced gradually, so that it does not entirely fill the tube 46, but flows down the sides thereof, leaving the center ofthe tube free for the upward escape of chlorin gas. The electric current is then applied through the circuit above described, and decomposition of the electrolyte in the dialyzers takes place, and the chlorin gas or negative element passes up through the tube 46 and the branch pipes 53 and out through the pipe 54 to a suitable receptacle for use. The metallic sodium or positive element thus formed passes through the diaphragms 12 13 14, composed of the layers above described, into the 1 water in the compartments 3, when the fluid therein is converted by chemical action into sodium hydrateor caustic soda. It is found in apparatus for this purpose that leakage from the cell into the anode-compartment (termed.

in this specification the dialyzer )'is constantlyapt to occur-that is to say, the canstic soda works through the diaphragm into the anode-compartment and mixes with the electrolyte therein, thus forming hypochlorites and chlorates, and hence impairing the efficiency of the cell and wasting the electrical energy. In order to overcome thisleakage into the anode-compartment, it has been common to have-a sufficient columnof elec trolyte in the anode-compartment to raise its height considerably above the height of the IIO caustic soda in the cell for the purpose of overcoming the inward pressure above. mentioned and-preventing such leakage and diffusion. This is at best a precarious experiment, as it is impossible for the attendant or operator to always know the height of the column of electrolyte in the anode, for the reason that decomposition is notuniform.

Hence the electrolyte frequentlylowers to' such an extent that the inward pressure from the caustic soda in the cell overcomes the pressure of the electrolyte in the anode-compartment and the caustic soda is pressed and filters through the diaphragm and mixes with the electrolyte/in the anode-chamber, as above described. 0n the other hand, if the electrolyte in the anode-chamber rises too high it presses out through the diaphragm and mixes with the caustic soda, injuring the product commercially.

In this apparatus it is my intention to equalize the weight of the caustic soda in the cell and the electrolyte in the dialyzers, so that one balances the other by retaining throughout the entire operation the same relation between the height of the electrolyte and that of the caustic soda. In other words, the electrolyte in the anode chambers is always higher than the caustic soda in the cell, and the difference between such heights is always the same and is always sufficient to exactly balance the pressure of the two fluids, so that neither will be forced through the diaphragm and mixed with the other. Having therefore filled the dialyzers and the cell to the proper heights-that is, approximately those indicated in Fig. 3-I proceed by means of the mechanism 39, 40, and 41. to move the pivotal points at which the ends of the dialyzers rest until the dialyzer on one side exactly balances the cathode 21 on the other side of the partition or cathode 2, such balancing being made possible by means of the levers 32 33, above described, each of which is connected at one end with one of the outer cathodes and near its other end with one of the dialyzers. This balance having been produced,the effect of the decomposition of the electrolyte in the dialyzer is to lighten it, and hence cause said dialyzers to rise; but the height of the fluid in said dialyzers with relation to the height of the caustic soda in the cell remains the same, so that throughout the entire operation the equality of the inward and outward pressure is maintained. This balancing of each dialyzer against a cathode not only prevents the diffusion and leakage above referred to, but produces disconnection of the current when the electrolyte has decreased in quantity sufficiently to allow the dialyzer to rise to such a height as to lift the ends of the connecting-wire 17 out of the mercury 18 in the cup 19, thus breaking the circuit. The utilization of the carbons employed as anodes is equalized by reason of the fact that in case the wires 17, connected with one dialyzer, are lifted in the mercury-cups by the upward movement of the dialyzer there is increased resistance and less electricity passes through said dialyzer; but as the cathode on the opposite side which balances with said dialyzer is simultaneously lowered its immersed surface is increased, and hence its conductivity is rendered correspondingly greater at the same time the other dialyzer is lowered. The efiect upon the other dialyzer is to supply it with a relatively large amount of electricity and through the anodes to increase the process of decomposition,thus eventually lifting said dialyzers, the ultimate effect on the dialyzers being to retain them at practically even heights, and hence of course to equalize the utilization, and therefore to lengthen the life of the carbons used as anodes.

It is evident that as the internal and external pressure upon the diaphragm is equalized they are rendered less liable to crack or to become warped or forced out of shape, gwhere by leakage and diffusion are produced, shortcircuiting is obviated, and their term of usage is lengthened. Moreover, economy in the use of electricity is accomplished by retaining throughout the entire operation of the apparatus the same relation between the height of the surface of the caustic soda and that of the chlorin.

In practice when the desired specific gravity of the caustic soda has been obtained the pipes 45 are adjusted by means of the hooks 4.7, levers 4S, and screws 51, the preferable adjustment being such as to allow a portion of the substantially horizontal part of the pipe to show above the surface of the caustic soda, thus allowing a limited flow into the portion 45 and through the pipe to a point outside of the tank. Hence by reason of the pivotal lever connection 48 49 between the pipe and its corresponding dialyzer as the dialyzer rises by reason of the increase of the decomposition of the electrolyte the pipe 45 lowers; but it lowers in the same degree or to the same extent that the surface of the caustic soda is lowered by the displacement caused by the rise of the dialyzer. Hence the flow through the pipe is practically uniform.

The overflow-pipes 55 5b 57 are provided at their outer downward bends with screws 61, formed at their inner ends with longitudinal slots 62. When these screws are in the position indicated in Fig. 6, the pipes operate as overflows, which become useful only when there is a surplus of electrolyte in the dialyzers by reason of some accident happening to or the incomplete operation of said dialyzers. Of course each dialyzer is provided with an overflow-pipe. These overflow-pipes can also beused as siphons for cleaning out the dialyzers by the adjustment of the screws 61 into the position indicated in Fig. 5, in which the slot 62 is entirely within the pipe.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an electrolytic apparatus, a dialyzer floating in the cell and sustained by the liquid therein.

2. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell and a dialyzer sustained by the liquid therein or the varying specific gravity of said liquid.

3. In an electrolytic apparatus, a dialyzer floating in the cell and out of direct physical contact with the walls thereof.

4. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a dialyzer floating therein, a cathode, and mechanism intermediate of the dialyzer and cathode whereby they are sustained on opposite sides of a pivotal point. r

5. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, and a dialyzer sustained therein and adapted to move substantially vertically with the changing conditions of the apparatus or parts thereof or liquid therein.

6. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a dialyzer sustained therein, a cathode, and balancing mechanism intermediate of said dialyzer and cathode whereby they are sustained and may be balanced on opposite sides of a piw otal point. p l

7. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a

pair of dialyzers sustained therein, a pair of cathodes sustained therein, and mechanism connecting each dialyzer with a cathode whereby two pivotalconnections are provided each sustaining on opposite sides a dialyzer and a cathode.

8. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a pair of dialyzers sustained therein, a pair of cathodes sustained therein, and mechanism connecting each dialyzer with a cathode whereby two pivotal connections are provided each sustaining on opposite sides a dialyzer and a cathode, each of the connected dialyzers and cathodes acting independently of the other dialyzer and cathode.

9. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell divided into a plurality of compartments, a dialyzer and a cathode each suspended in one compartment, a dialyzer and a cathode each suspended in another compartment, and mechanism intermediate of the dialyzer in each compartment and the cathode in the other compartment whereby the dialyzer in each compartment and the cathode in the other compartment are sustained on opposite sides of a pivotal point.

10. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell divided into a plurality of compartments, a dialyzer floating in one compartment and a cathode suspended in the same compartment, a dialyzer floating in another compartment and 'a cathode suspended in the same compartment, and mechanism intermediate of the dialyzer in each compartment and the cathode in the other compartment whereby the dialyzer in one compartment and the cathode in the other compartment are sustained on opposite sides of a pivotal point.

11. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell divided into a plurality of compartments, a substantially vertically movable dialyzer and a substantially vertically movable cathode in each of two compartments, and mechanism intermediate of the dialyzer in each com partment and the cathode in the other compartment whereby each said dialyzer and cathode is sustained on opposite sides of a pivotal point.

12. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell divided into a plurality of compartments, a substantially vertically movable dialyzer and a substantially vertically movable cathode in each of two compartments, mechanism intermediate of the dialyzer in each compartment and the cathode in the other compartment whereby each said dialyzer and cathode is sustained on opposite sides of a pivotal point, and adjusting mechanism for moving each dialyzer with relation to said pivotal point.

13. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a stationary cathode dividing the cell into two compartments, substantially vertically mov able cathodes suspended in said com partments on opposite sides of the stationary cathode, and substantially vertically movable dialyzers sustained in said compartments on opposite sides of the stationary cathode.

14. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a stationary cathode dividing the cell into two compartments, substantially vertically movable cathodes suspended in said compartments on opposite sides of the stationary cathode, and substantially vertically movable dialyzers sustained in said compartmentson opposite sides of the stationary cathode and between said stationary cathode and the movable cathodes.

15. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a stationary cathode dividing the cell into two compartments, a cathode and a dialyzer suspended in each compartment, and a pivotal connection between the cathodeiin each compartment and the dialyzer in the other come partment whereby the cathode in each compartment is adapted to balance and move substantially vertically with relation to the dialyzer in the other compartment.

16. In an electrolytic apparatus,-a cell, a stationary cathode dividing the cell into two compartments, a cathode and a dialyzer suspended in each compartment, and a pivotal connection between the cathode in each compartment and the dialyzer in the other com: partment whereby the cathode in each compartment is adapted tobalance and move substantially vertically with relation to the dialyzer in the other compartment, the said dialyzers being between the stationary cathode and the movable cathodes and on opposite sides of the stationary cathode, and each pair consisting of the dialyzer on oneside and the cathode on'the other side acting independently of the other pair;

17. In an electrolytic .apparatus, the substantially vertically movable dialyzers comprising the ends 6, open end frames 7, tops 5,

side walls 4, connecting-rods 9, and diaphragms supported by the frames, and the substantially.vertically and oppositely movable cathodes, substantially as set forth.

18. In an electrolytic apparatus, a substantially vertically movable dialyzer com prising 1 a frame, and a diaphragmsupported thereby,

said diaphragm being formed with a curved bottom or lower end, and a substantially vertically and oppositely movable cathode, substantially as described.

19. In an electrolytic apparatus, a tank or cell, the dialyzers, the cathodes 22 provided with the brackets 35, 36, the posts 27 supported by the tank, the levers pivotally supported by said posts and each consisting of 'the long and short arms 33, 32, the pivots 41 extending horizontally from the dialyzers, and adjusting mechanism intermediate of said pivots and theshort arms of the levers, substantially as set forth.

20. In an electrolytic apparatus, a tank or p cell, the pair of dialyzers containing the series of anodes 14, the bars 15, the pairs of electrical leads 16, bent wires 17, mercurycups 19, electrical main 20, the pair of cathodes 21, levers pivotally supported on the tank and each sustaining at its opposite ends a dialyzer and a cathode, and means for connecting adjustably the levers with the dialyzers and cathodes, substantially as described.

21. In an electrolytic apparatus, a tank or cell, the pair of dialyzers containing the series of anodes 14, the bars 15, the pairs of electrical leads 16, bent wires 17, mercury-cups 19, electrical main 20, the pair of cathodes 21, the posts 27 each provided with a mercurywell 28 formed with the reverse V-shaped bottom 29, and the levers 32, 33 each provided with the pivotal support 3L having its lower end reverse V-shaped, each lever supporting at its opposite ends a dialyzer and a cathode, substantially as set forth.

22. In an electrolytic apparatus, the cell, a substantially vertically movable dialyzer therein and anodes within the dialyzer, the cup 44. supported by the dialyzer, the upright tube 46 communicating with the interior of the dialyzer and extending up into said cup, and the pipe 53 extending down between the walls of the cup 44: and tube 46 and communicating with the anode-chamber, substantially as and for the purposes described.

23. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a substantially vertically movable dialyzer sustained therein, an outflow-pipe,and a pivotallysupported connection between the dialyzer and the outflow-pipe, whereby the rise of the dialyzer by reason of the increase of the decomposition of the electrolyte lowers the outflow-pipe.

24. In an electrolytic apparatus, the cell, a substantially vertically movable dialyzer, the outflow-pipe 45, a support 47 sustaining the portion of the outflow-pipe which is within the cell, the lever 48 pivotally supported by a stationary portion of the cell, and adjustable connections between the opposite ends of the lever and the said support for the pipe, and the dialyzer, substantially as set forth.

25. In an electrolytic apparatus, the combination with the cell and the floating dialyzers, of the combined overflow and siphon pipes 55, 56, 57 provided with the screws 61 slotted at 62 and adapted to have their slotted portions moved into and withdrawn from the in terior of the pipe, substantially as and for the purpose described.

26. In an electrolytic apparatus, a cell, a pair of movable dialyzers and a pair of mov able cathodes in said cell, the dialyzers containing suitable anodes, each cathode being connected with and moving with relation to a dialyzer, said dialyzers and cathodes being in electrical circuit, mercury-cupsin said circuit, and leads connecting with the dialyzers and having their free ends within the mercury in the cups, the movement of each dialyzer lifting and lowering the immersed ends of said leads in the mercury, whereby as one dialyzer rises the resistance therein is increased, and the simultaneous lowering of the cathode directly connected therewith increases the conductivity in the other dialyzer, thus automatically regulating the How of the electric current.

27. In an electrolytic cell, the combination of a movable cathode, and means for moving the same relative to the electroly te,said means being automatically actuated by the operation of the apparatus, whereby the bubbles of hydrogen are destroyed and partial or complete insulation of the cathode prevented.

In testimony whereof I' have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK J. BRIGGS.

\Vitnesses:

HENRY W. WILLIAMS, A. N. BONNEY. 

